Going to China for business meetings, negotiations, factory visits, or trade fairs? You need an M visa. Invitation letter requirements, documents, fees, and process — explained in one place.
M visa · 10-year multiple entry available · All five US districts
The China Business Visa (M visa) is for people traveling to China for commercial and trade activities: business meetings, negotiations, factory visits, meeting clients, trade fairs, competitions, or commercial events. US citizens can apply for a 10-year multiple-entry M visa, with stays of up to 90 days per visit (as approved by the consulate).
Don't mix it up: non-commercial exchanges, visits, and study tours take an F visa, not an M visa; working in China takes a Z visa; visiting family takes a Q2 visa. Not sure which one fits? See "Which Visa Is Right for Me", or just contact us and we'll tell you.
Under the Washington, DC Visa Section's current rules, an M visa needs basic documents + an invitation letter (always check the consulate website for the latest requirements):
Basic documents
Extra for M visa
Good to know: fingerprint collection is currently waived for short stays of 180 days or less, so you don't need to visit the consulate in person — the whole process can be done by mail.
A proper M visa invitation letter should cover the following (in Chinese or English, ideally on the inviting company's letterhead):
Send us the electronic copy and we'll check the format and contents before submission, so nothing gets bounced at the window. For more detail, see our invitation letter guide.
Want to visit China to inspect factories, look at projects, or attend a trade fair, but don't have a Chinese partner or an invitation letter yet? We can help connect you with relevant companies in China: tell us your industry and what you want to see, and we'll introduce you to suitable Chinese companies so you can get an invitation letter and then apply for the visa.
One condition: the business purpose has to be real — you genuinely plan to visit China to look at projects, talk business, or attend an exhibition. We only connect people with a real business need; we do not make fake invitation letters. Contact us with your situation and we'll see if we can help.
Reach us on WeChat, phone, or the booking form. Tell us your purpose, travel dates, and whether you have an invitation letter, and we'll send your checklist and quote.
Send passport, photo, and invitation letter electronically. For full service, we fill in the COVA form for you; once it passes preliminary review, mail us the original passport.
Hand-checked documents → submit at the consulate → pick up your passport → mail it back securely. Regular pickup per the Embassy Visa Section schedule, expedited on the 3rd.
Transparent pricing — government fees and service fees listed separately
Tourist (L) · Business (M) · Family Visit (Q1/Q2) · Private Visit (S1/S2) · Work (Z) · Student (X1/X2). Submission + pickup + return mailing.
An M visa is for commercial and trade activities (business talks, factory visits, trade fairs). An F visa is for non-commercial exchanges, visits, and study tours. Business meetings take an M visa; an academic exchange group takes an F visa. Picking the wrong type gets the application returned.
Yes. US citizens can apply for a 10-year multiple-entry M visa, with stays of up to 90 days per visit. The consulate decides the validity and stay period.
No. Under current rules, you upload a scan of the invitation letter — no original is needed. But it must contain all the key information, or the consulate will ask for corrections.
Ideally, yes. The inviter should be your real business partner or the event organizer, and the purpose of the visit should match your line of work — the consulate does look at this.
Once your documents are complete, the online form review takes about 3 business days (if you've had a Chinese visa before) or 4–5 business days (first time). After submission, regular pickup is on the Embassy's pickup schedule, expedited on the 3rd.
Message us on WeChat with your documents and we can start today
Book Now Phone / WhatsApp: (626) 341-8614 WeChat: usvisa2017